Method and apparatus for enabling customer premises public branch exchange service feature processing

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for enabling customer premise Public Branch eXchange (PBX) service feature processing to be performed in a service provider network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a signaling message associated with a user, and accesses a customer premise Internet Protocol (IP) Public Branch eXchange (PBX) to retrieve customer premise IP PBX based service logic and data associated with the user by a Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) network element. The method then completes a service feature associated with the service logic and data in the communication network.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/611,872, filed Nov. 3, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,340,085, which claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/110,796, filed on Nov. 3, 2008, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates generally to communication network and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for enabling customer premise Public Branch eXchange (PBX) service feature processing to be performed in a service provider network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Existing customer premise Public Branch Exchanges (PBXs) do not support an interface that can communicate local service logic and data to a service provider network. As such, customer premise PBXs do not enable the integration of network based service features provided by a service provider with customer premises based PBX service features supported by a customer premise PBX.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a method and apparatus for enabling customer premise Public Branch eXchange (PBX) service feature processing to be performed in a service provider network. For example, the method receives a signaling message associated with a user, and accesses a customer premise Internet Protocol (IP) Public Branch eXchange (PBX) to retrieve customer premise IP PBX based service logic and data associated with the user by a Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) network element. The method then completes a service feature associated with the service logic and data in the communication network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teaching of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network for enabling customer premise PBX service feature processing in a service provider network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary network for enabling customer premise PBX service feature processing in a service provider network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of enabling customer premise PBX service feature processing to be implemented in a service provider network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a high level block diagram of a general purpose computer suitable for use in performing the functions described herein.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is no current method for using information resident in a customer premise-based PBX by the network service provider to provide IMS services. For example, current Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) solutions may not result in the efficient use of an enterprise customer's access interface. They do not allow the Service Provider network the ability to access complementary and value-added features available from a customer premise PBX. Moreover, existing customer premise PBXs do not support an interface that can communicate local service logic and data to a service provider network. Thus, existing customer premise PBXs do not enable the integration of network based FMC service features provided by a service provider and customer premises based PBX service features supported by a customer premise PBX.

To address this criticality, the present invention enables a service provider network to access customer premise PBX based service features during call processing to provide an integrated service experience of customer premise based and network based service features across wireless and wireline devices while making efficient use of the enterprise customer's access interface.

In one embodiment, the present invention enables an Application Server (AS) interface between a service provider network and a customer premise PBX to allow access to customer premise PBX based service logic and data without relinquishing control of the bearer path of a call. For example, the present invention enables communications with a customer premise PBX in a manner similar to an Application Server (AS) to achieve integrated premise based and network based service features, thereby effecting more efficient use of the enterprise customer access interface.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network 100 for enabling customer premise PBX service feature processing to be implemented in a service provider network related to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a Mobile Core Network 101 is connected to an IMS Core Network 103 via a Circuit Switched Gateway (CSG) 122.

Broadly defined, IMS is an architectural framework for delivering Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia services to mobile users defined by the standard body, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In one embodiment, a session border controller (SBC) is a network element that provides the security boundary for the IMS network infrastructure. The SBC provides traffic controls, protocol verification, protocol conversion, hosted NAT, session managed media anchor or release, and records CDR events. The SBC exposes its well known address(es) within the IMS network and is the first trusted element of the Service Provider network infrastructure. It includes the Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) and Access Border Gateway (A-BGF) IMS functions as defined by 3GPP and other standards bodies.

In one embodiment, a Circuit Switched Gateway (CSG) is a network element that interconnects a circuit switched network, e.g., a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a packet switched network, e.g., an IMS network. For example, the CSG network element performs the necessary conversion functions including, but not limited to, media and signaling protocol interworking, between a circuit switched network and an IMS core network.

Customer premise Internet Protocol (IP) PBX 124 residing in an enterprise network 104 is connected to the IMS core network 103 via a SBC 123. In one embodiment, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 102 is connected to the IMS core network 103 via a CSG 127.

In one embodiment, the enterprise customer of the enterprise network 104 has subscribed on behalf of the FMC users of the network devices 111 behind the IP PBX to the NB-FMC service provided by the IMS core network 103. In one embodiment, the IP PBX 124 acts as a SIP Application Server (AS) interfacing with a Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) network element 131 in the IMS core network 103 to support the NB-FMC service features. Furthermore, it also facilitates the access of customer premise IP PBX service logic and data by the service provider network.

In one embodiment, mobile device 110, e.g., an NB-FMC device, is registered with the Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core network 103 and the user related information is stored in both the IMS core network 103 and on the customer premise IP PBX 124 to provide integrated NB-FMC service features to mobile device 110.

To illustrate, the user of the mobile device 110, who is associated with the enterprise network 104 (e.g., an employee associated with the enterprise that operates the enterprise network), may want the same service features that are currently available from the customer premise IP PBX 124 to be made available to the mobile device 110. Furthermore, the user may also want access to the network-based service features currently provided by the IMS core network 103 to the customer premise-based IP PBX. In other words, mobile user wants access to both the same customer premise-based IP PBX and network-based service features that are available when using their wireline device.

In one example, the user of mobile device 110 may originate a call by dialing an extension (e.g., a phone number with a configurable number of digits, typically 4 to 5 digits) of another employee in the same enterprise. Mobile core network 101 recognizes this call as an originating NB-FMC call and performs the processing required to assign a temporary routing number to this request to route it to the IMS Core 103 for originating service feature processing using flow 151. When the call request reaches the CSG 122, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE message is created and sent to the Interrogating Call Session Control Function 130.

Broadly defined, a Call Session Control Function (CSCF) network element is an IP Multimedia Services (IMS) based session control layer network element that is responsible for call session setup, mid-session control, and teardown. In particular, an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) is a network element that provides topology hiding and helps to forward requests between a CSG and a Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) network element as well as Application Servers (AS). A Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) is a network element that provides session control, call signaling routing to applications, and SIP registrar functions. An Application server (AS) is a network element that hosts and executes service specific applications on behalf of an IMS core network, and interfaces with the S-CSCF using a communication protocol, e.g., a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).

Continuing with the above example, in accordance with standard IMS core processing, the I-CSCF 130 sends the INVITE message to the AS 125 using flow 152 to replace the temporary routing number with the original extension number dialed by the user of mobile device 110, and returns a Public User Identifier (PUID) in the PAI field of the INVITE message that can be used to access the service profile for the originating FMC user. Then the AS 125 returns the modified INVITE message to the I-CSCF 130 using flow 152. The I-CSCF 130 continues standard IMS processing, and once it determines the S-CSCF 131 that should be accessed for originating processing, the I-CSCF 130 sends the INVITE message to the S-CSCF 131.

In accordance with standard IMS Core processing, the S-CSCF 131 determines, based on the service profile asserted by the mobile device 110, that SIP AS 126 needs to be accessed next. Thus, the S-CSCF 131 sends the INVITE message to the SIP AS 126 using flow 153 for call originating processing. Call originating processing at SIP AS 126 includes, but is not limited to, functions such as digit translation, call screening, time of day routing (based on information stored in IMS core network 103 for the identity asserted by mobile device 110). When the relevant processing is completed by the SIP AS 126, it will send the INVITE message back to the S-CSCF 131 using flow 153.

In order to provide service to a user who has service logic and data residing in the PBX, this method provides a solution that enables the network to access the PBX service logic and data during network processing. In one embodiment, the S-CSCF 131 determines that IP PBX 124, which is acting as a SIP AS associated with the IMS core network 103, should be accessed by processing an Initial Filter Criteria (iFC) in a standard manner. For example, the S-CSCF 131 sends the INVITE message to the IP PBX 124 via the SBC 123 over the IP PBX AS interface using flow 154.

In turn, the IP PBX 124 retrieves the service logic and data associated with the user. In this example, the FMC user dialed an abbreviated number which could not be translated in the network, but can be translated by information in the IP PBX 124. The IP PBX 124 translates the abbreviated number and uses the information received to update/change the R-URI in the message that is being processed. The IP PBX 124 then sends the updated INVITE message to the S-CSCF 131 using flow 154.

Eventually, the S-CSCF 131 determines that call originating processing is complete. Standard IMS Core processing follows and the call is set up to a user served by PSTN 102 via CSG 127 (using flow 155).

When the call is eventually answered, bearer path 160 will be established from the mobile access network 105 to the mobile core network 101 to the IMS core network 103 (via CSG 122) to the PSTN 102 (via CSG 127) without having to hairpin the bearer path through IP PBX 124. In other words, although the IP PBX 124 is capable of and was originally tasked with performing the digit translation function, it has been relieved of having to hairpin the bearer path 160 through the IP PBX 124. Namely, the digit translation logic and data was accessed from the IP PBX 124 without terminating bearer to it and in turn, acted upon by the IMS core network 103. This approach provides a significant amount of savings in terms of bandwidth since the bearer path does not need to traverse from the SBC 123 to the IP PBX 124 and then back from the IP PBX 124 to the SBC 123 (broadly defined as the hairpin).

It should be noted that the present invention also works with subsequent signaling messages after the INVITE message. For example, signaling could be routed through the IP PBX 124 acting as a SIP AS. Based on any subsequent signaling, the IP PBX 124 could determine that data or service logic in the IP PBX 124 needs to be accessed. This could be based on subsequent session setup signaling, mid-call signaling or session teardown signaling.

The benefits of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 can be extended to calls originating from the existing wireline devices that are accessed via a customer premise PBX.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary network 200 for enabling customer premise PBX service feature processing to be implemented in a service provider network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the PSTN 204 is connected to the IMS core network 203 via a CSG 222. The IP PBX 224 residing in an enterprise network 205 is connected to the IMS core network 203 via a SBC 223. The mobile core network 202 is connected to IMS core network 203 via CSG 221.

In one embodiment, the enterprise customer of the enterprise network 205 has subscribed on behalf of the FMC users behind the IP PBX 224 to the NB-FMC service with the IMS core network 203. For example, the IP PBX 224 acts as an Application Server (AS) interfacing with the IMS core network 203 to support the NB-FMC service features.

In one example, the identity asserted by the mobile device 210, an NB-FMC device, is registered with the Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core network 203 and the user related information is stored in both the IMS core network 203 and on the customer premise IP PBX 224 to provide integrated NB-FMC service features to the mobile device 210.

To illustrate, the user of mobile device 210, who is associated with the enterprise network 205 (e.g., an employee associated with the enterprise that operates the enterprise network), may want the service features available from the customer premise IP PBX 224 to be made available on the mobile device 210. Furthermore, the user may also want the PBX service features to be integrated with the NB-FMC service features provided by IMS core network 203. In other words, the network-based service features are not provided by the IP PBX 224.

In one example, an incoming call request is sent via the PSTN 204 to the CSG 222 using flow 251 and the call terminating processing is to be provided by the IMS core network 203. The called party number is a registered phone number associated with the IP PBX 224 by the S-CSCF.

In accordance with standard IMS processing, upon receiving the call request, the CSG 222 formulates a SIP INVITE message and sends it to the I-CSCF 230. If it comes in as a telephone number, the I-CSCF will do an ENUM dip to get a SIP-URI corresponding to that number. Then, I-CSCF 230 queries Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 232 to identify that S-CSCF 231 is associated with the SIP URI it received from ENUM and corresponding to the called party number. I-CSCF 230 sends the INVITE message to S-CSCF 231 for further processing. The series of processing flows is captured in flow 252.

Based on an initial Filtering Criteria (iFC), S-CSCF 231 sends the INVITE message to SIP AS 226 using flow 253 for call terminating processing, e.g., an incoming call screening feature that would not allow incoming calls of a particular type, or a feature that modifies a signaling parameter in accordance with customer requirements so that it is in a form that can be acted upon by the PBX. It should be noted that these are only illustrative call processing features. After the processing is completed, SIP AS 226 then sends the processed INVITE message back to S-CSCF 231 using flow 253.

In one embodiment, the S-CSCF 231 then sends the INVITE message to the IP PBX 224 (using flow 254), which is acting as a SIP AS associated with the IMS core network 203, for local feature processing including, but not limited to, retrieving the local service logic and data residing in IP PBX 224 applicable to the user. For example, IP PBX 224 may retrieve the service logic and data (e.g., a temporary call forwarding setting for the user) that is stored locally at the IP PBX 224 to appropriately update the previously received INVITE message and then sends it to S-CSCF 231 using flow 254.

The S-CSCF 231 then sends the INVITE message (including the call forwarding information received from IP PBX 224) to AS 225 using flow 255 for terminating NB-FMC processing and anchoring. AS 225 then sends the INVITE message containing the Request Uniform Resource Identifier (R-URI)=the called party number (including call forwarding information received from IP PBX 224) to S-CSCF 231 using flow 255.

The S-CSCF 231 determines that the terminating processing is complete. Based on the registration information obtained by the S-CSCF 231, the S-CSCF 231 determines that normally the simultaneous ringing feature associated with the called party number should be provided to the mobile device 210 (e.g., a first endpoint device of the called party) using flows 257 and 258 as well as to the wireline phone 211 (e.g., a second endpoint device of the called party) using flow 256. However, based on the presence of the call forwarding information received from IP PBX 224, the S-CSCF 231 determines that the simultaneous ringing feature associated with the called party number should be provided to the mobile device 210 (e.g., a first endpoint device of the called party) using flows 257 and 258 as well as to the Call Forwarding Number associated with wireline phone 212 served by PSTN Network 204 a using flow 262 (e.g., the endpoint device to which the user's second wireline device is currently being forwarded).

Finally, the mobile device 210 answers the call and the bearer path 260 is established to complete the call request, or alternatively the user answers the call using the wireline phone 212 and the bearer path 261 is established to complete the call request. It should be noted that the bearer path 260 does not traverse through the IP PBX 224 at all when the call is answered by the mobile device 210. In addition, if the Call Forward device 212 answers the call and the bearer path 261 is established to the PSTN 204 a via the CSG 227, the bearer path 261 does not traverse through the IP PBX 224. In other words, although the IP PBX 224 is capable of and was originally tasked with performing the Call Forwarding function on behalf of the user for their wireline device, it has been relieved of having to perform this function, thereby avoiding the need to hairpin the bearer path 261 through the IP PBX 224. Namely, the call forwarding information was accessed from the IP PBX 224 and in turn, implemented by the IMS core network 203. This approach provides a significant amount of savings in terms of bandwidth since the bearer path does not need to traverse from the SBC 223 to the IP PBX 224 and then back from the IP PBX 224 to the SBC 223 (broadly defined as the hairpin).

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an illustrative method 300 of enabling customer premise PBX service feature processing to be implemented in a service provider network of the present invention. For example, one or more steps of method 300 can be implemented by a S-CSCF. Method 300 starts in step 305 and proceeds to step 310.

In step 310, the method receives a SIP message, e.g., a SIP INVITE call request message, to be processed. The SIP message can be a call originating portion of SIP signaling or a call terminating portion of SIP signaling. In one embodiment, the SIP message is received by a S-CSCF.

In step 320, the method determines that a customer premise IP PBX needs to be accessed, e.g., the service logic and data for a service feature associated with the user is local to the customer premise IP PBX. The access to the customer premise IP PBX is determined and performed by the S-CSCF. In one embodiment, the IP PBX is acting as a SIP AS and interfaces with the S-CSCF in the corresponding IMS core network.

In step 330, the method sends the signaling message to the corresponding customer premise IP PBX that is tasked with processing the request (broadly accessing the customer premise IP PBX). The INVITE message is sent by the S-CSCF. In turn, the service logic and data is retrieved by the customer premise IP PBX. After retrieving the local service logic and data, the customer premise IP PBX may modify the INVITE message accordingly depending on the local service logic and data processing. For example, if the retrieved service logic and data is used for call forwarding a request to a specific destination phone number, then the call forwarding service logic and phone number will be inserted into the INVITE message to be sent to and processed by the S-CSCF. However, it should be noted that other actions may be taken by the customer premise IP PBX at this stage, e.g., sending a response to the S-CSCF with respect to the signaling message that it received, or establishing other sessions.

In one embodiment, the AS interface between the S-CSCF and the customer premise IP PBX is a SIP AS interface, based on the IMS Service Control (ISC) interface from 3GPP standards, is used to access the customer premise IP PBX service logic and data. In one embodiment, the customer premise IP PBX stays in the signaling path for the duration of the call. Once the customer premise IP PBX processing is completed, the customer premise IP PBX would return a modified or an unmodified SIP INVITE message to the S-CSCF. This would enable the S-CSCF to access a subsequent AS from the network that will perform further service processing that may be needed. It should be noted that in one embodiment, a service feature associated with the retrieved service logic and data will be completed in the service provider network.

In step 340, the method completes the network based service feature processing of the call request. It should be noted that network based service features are service features that are supported by an IMS core network that cannot be supported by the customer premise IP PBX. These network based service features include, but are not limited to, digit translation, call screening, time of day routing, simultaneous ringing to multiple phone numbers without routing bearer to the customer premise IP PBX until the INVITE is accepted, or providing a single voice mail box in the IMS core network without the need to access the customer premise IP PBX, etc.

In step 350, the method sets up an appropriate bearer path for the call. Once all network based processing is completed by the IMS core network, the S-CSCF determines a bearer path to be set up to a different endpoint or network without causing hair pinning through the customer premise IP PBX. The bearer path is set up by the S-CSCF. The method ends in step 360.

It should be noted that although not specifically specified, one or more steps of methods 300 may include a storing, displaying and/or outputting step as required for a particular application. In other words, any data, records, fields, and/or intermediate results discussed in the methods 300 can be stored, displayed and/or outputted to another device as required for a particular application.

FIG. 4 depicts a high level block diagram of a general purpose computer suitable for use in performing the functions described herein. As depicted in FIG. 4, the system 400 comprises a processor element 402 (e.g., a CPU), a memory 404, e.g., random access memory (RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM), a module 405 for enabling customer premise PBX service feature processing to be implemented in a service provider network, and various input/output devices 406 (e.g., storage devices, including but not limited to, a tape drive, a floppy drive, a hard disk drive or a compact disk drive, a receiver, a transmitter, a speaker, a display, a speech synthesizer, an output port, and a user input device (such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, and the like)).

It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented in software and/or in a combination of software and hardware, e.g., using application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), a general purpose computer or any other hardware equivalents. In one embodiment, the present module or process 405 for enabling customer premise PBX service feature processing to be implemented in a service provider network can be loaded into memory 404 and executed by processor 402 to implement the functions as discussed above. As such, the present process 405 for enabling customer premise PBX service feature processing to be implemented in a service provider network (including associated data structures) of the present invention can be stored on a computer readable storage medium, e.g., RAM memory, magnetic or optical drive or diskette and the like.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for processing a signaling message in a communication network, comprising: receiving, by a processor of a serving call session control function network element deployed in the communication network, a signaling message associated with a user; accessing, by the processor of the serving call session control function network element, a customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange deployed in an enterprise network to retrieve customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange based service logic and data associated with the user; and completing, by the processor of the serving call session control function network element, a service feature associated with the service logic and data in the communication network, wherein the service feature is completed and a bearer path is established without the bearer path being established to the customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling message comprises a call request message.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling message comprises a call originating portion of a session initiation protocol signaling.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the accessing the customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange employs an application server interface.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the application server interface comprises an internet protocol multimedia subsystem control service interface.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication network comprises an Internet protocol multimedia subsystem network.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: setting up a bearer path via the communication network without hair-pinning through the customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a network based service feature in response to the signaling message.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling message comprises a call terminating portion of a session initiation protocol signaling.
 10. A tangible computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a serving call session control function network element deployed in a communication network, cause the processor to perform operations for processing a signaling message in the communication network, the operations comprising: receiving a signaling message associated with a user; accessing a customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange deployed in an enterprise network to retrieve customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange based service logic and data associated with the user; and completing a service feature associated with the service logic and data in the communication network, wherein the service feature is completed and a bearer path is established without the bearer path being established to the customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange.
 11. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the signaling message comprises a call originating portion of a session initiation protocol signaling.
 12. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the accessing the customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange employs an application server interface.
 13. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the application server interface comprises an internet protocol multimedia subsystem control service interface.
 14. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the communication network comprises an internet protocol multimedia subsystem network.
 15. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising: setting up a bearer path via the communication network without hair-pinning through the customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange.
 16. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising: providing a network based service feature in response to the signaling message.
 17. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the signaling message comprises a call terminating portion of a session initiation protocol signaling.
 18. A method for processing a signaling message in a communication network, comprising: receiving, by a processor of a customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange deployed in an enterprise network, a session initiation protocol signaling message, wherein the session initiation protocol signaling message is sent from a serving call session control function network element deployed in the communication network requesting service logic and data associated with a user; and sending, by the processor of the customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange, a modified session initiation protocol message comprising the service logic and data to the service call session control function network element for establishing a bearer path and for completing a service feature associated with the service logic and data without the bearer path being established to the customer premises internet protocol public branch exchange. 